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(No Modell) L. M. DEVORE.

. RIBBON HOLDER. No.. 353,627. Patented Nov. 30, 1886. v i .1. j 0%9224 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEVI M. DEVORE, OF FREEPORT, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES D. KNOWLTON, OF SAME PLACE.

RIBBON-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 353,627, dated November 30, 1886.

Application filed March 4, 1886. Serial No. 194,019.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEVI M. DEVORE, a resident of Freeport,in the county of Stephenson and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ribbon- Holders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved means adapted to prevent accidental unwinding of a roll of ribbon or similar fabric, and at the same time to permitthe unwinding or rewinding thereof when desired.

The improvements constituting the invention are described, explained, and defined in this specification,and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side elevation of a ribbonroll with my devices in position for retaining the ribbon; Fig. 2, a central vertical section of the ribbon-block with devices in the position shown in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow a. Fig. 3 is a plan or edge view, looking in the direction a, Fig. 1. Fig. 4shows a modified construction of the central pivots.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, A is a roll of ribbon wound upon ahollow ribbon-block; E, apractically rigid fiat bar lying normally upon the surface of the roll parallel to the axis of the block. E E are arms at right angles to and continuous with the bar E. They are parallel to the ends of theblock, nearly in contact with the edges of the ribbon, and preferably of a length greater than the thickness of the entire annular layer A of ribbon, so that they may be held in place by the block. The lower or end portions of these arms are reversed, forming hooks F, to receive elastic links D, which connect them with central hooked pivots, O. The hooks F are placed at one side of the arms E, as the bar E is thus less liable to displacement when the end A of the ribbon happens to be raised in unrolling the ribbon. The link D may be a simple rubber band, and in that case should greater tension be desired it may be obtained by giving the band an extra turn or loop about the hook F. The pivots G are bent upward and formed into hooks near the (No model.)

external end surface of the block, and are bent at right angles just inside the walls of the block. This form allows them to be quickly inserted in the completed block, but prevents their withdrawal when they are acted upon by the elastic force of the band D.

Fig. 4. shows the pivots O as continuous through the axial line of the block, one end being formed into a book after its insertion.

The operation of my devices is perhaps evident from the detailed description given. The block B may be allowed to rotate between the thumb and fingers upon the pivots C, while the bar E, pivots O, and intermediate parts are held practically stationary by the pressure of the unwinding end A of the ribbon; or the arms E E may alone be grasped, and the end A be drawn, rotating the block B, as before, upon the pivots O. In any case when the external force is removed the elasticity of the link D draws the bar E against the coiled or rolled ribbon A and prevents further unrolling. In rewinding the ribbon the-arms E E may be held and the block be rotated, or the block may be held and the bar E be carried around the roll.

I am aware that it is not, broadly, new to combine in a device of this class a rigid bar adapted to lie in contact with the surface of the ribbon and an elastic link connecting the bar with the axis of the roll. In one device for that purpose an endless rubber band has been used for the spring; but its efficiency was in that case greatly impaired by carrying it through an axial hole in the block at the center of the roll and using its ends for the links connecting the ends of the bar with the axis. That construction necessarily subjected the central portion of the band to constant wear and greatly lessened its durability, and was for that reason objectionable. The rubber band is the simplest and most satisfactory form of elastic link for this purpose, and the method of connecting it with the axis, by means of hooks placed at the centers of the end faces of the cylindrical roll, is preferable to any other with which I am acquainted. If a solid block be used for center or foundation of the roll, the hooks must almost of necessity be formed on the ends ofa single wire, as shown in Fig. 4; but where a hollow block or box is substi- ICC tuted for the solid one the separate hooks (shown'in Fig. 2) are preferable. What I claim as new,and desire to secure by 'Letters Patent, is-

respective centers, a rigid bar resting upon the cylindricalsurface of the coiled ribbon,and elastic links connecting the respective hooks with the corresponding ends of said bar.

3. The bar E, having arms E E and hooks F F, the elastic links D D, the revoluble double hooks G O, and the hollow block B, combined substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this 25 specification in the presence of two subscribmg witnesses.

LEVI M. DEvoRn.

Witnesses:

S.'A. BUCKMAN, O. E. COULTER. 

